Multi-use, body-relaxing furniture unit

ABSTRACT

A multi-use furniture unit for providing comfort and relaxation to the human body comprises essentially three main components, to wit; first, an elongate preferably adjustable support adapted in one use to be tiltably positioned uprightly as a sand and in another use to constitute a base and seat support for a chair; secondly, a body-rest member adapted to be held substantially perpendicularly to said support to act as an elevated foot and leg support in one position of the unit, and as the backrest of a chair in a second position of the unit; and thirdly, a front chair-support medium extending laterally from an end portion of said elongate support and in a direction opposite from that of said body-rest member.

United States Patent Barberg MULTI-USE, BODY-RELAXING FURNITURE UNIT [72] Inventor: Vernon G. Barberg, Rte. 2-Box 16,

Cokato, Minn. 55321 [22] Filed: July 2, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 51,756

[52] US. Cl ..297/1, 297/438 [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 13/00 [58] Field of Search ..297/118, 133, 438, 439, 443,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,896,455 2/ 1933 McCulloh ..297/1 2,140,310 12/1938 Brown et a1. ..297/1 2,191,752 2/1940 Clarke ..297/438 X 2,384,234 9/1945 Breese ..297/2 51 Oct. 3, 1972 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney-Williamson, Palmatier & Bains, George F. Williamson, H. Dale Palmatier and Herman H. Bains ABSTRACT A multi-use furniture unit for providing comfort and relaxation to the human body comprises essentially three main components, to wit; first, an elongate preferably adjustable support adapted in one use to be tiltablypositioned uprightly as a sand and in another use to constitute a base and seat support for a chair; secondly, a body-rest member adapted to be held substantially perpendicularly to said support to act as an elevated foot and leg support in one position of the unit, and as the backrest of a chair in a second position of the unit; and thirdly, a front chair-support medium extending laterally from an end portion of said elongate support and in a direction opposite from that of said body-rest member.

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It is an important object of my invention to provide a multi-use furniture item for relaxably supportingthe human body and portions thereof which, in one use or position, constitutes a tiltably and vertically adjustable leg or foot support adapted to be employed by a human with another chair; and which, in the second use, constitutes of itself a relaxing chair with cushion seat and backrest and where in use the legs are extended'forwardly and comfortably.

A further object is the provision in relaxing furniture of the class described ofa multi-use unit which may be readily collapsed in substantially flat form for storage, shipment and sale.

The value of relaxing and elevating the legs and feet of a person while sitting or at rest is medically well known at the present time. Heart action is facilitated when a person sits comfortably in a chair with his legs and feet elevated (sometimes above his hips).

Another object of my invention isthe provision of a multi-use furniture unit of the structure described wherein a wide provision is made for various elevational adjustments of a leg support and upstanding foot rest portion with tiltable variation thereof.

The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the ensuing description made with reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of my furniture unit tiltably and horizontally adjusted for use in supporting and relaxing the legs and body of a user;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken angularly from the under portion orback of the general structure as assembled;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the position of the said embodiment for use as a'relaxing chair;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the device in use as a chair;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the longitudinallyadjustable support illustrating detachable connection of members including the front chair-supporting medium and the adjustability of the support stand;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing reinforced detachability of the front chain support medium;

FIG. 7 is a detail cross section taken along the line 7-7 of F IG. 4 showing the backrest hinge structure;

FIG. 8 is an edge elevation of the device in collapsed form, the dotted lines indicating previously removed chair support elements and abutments;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the structure for rocking chair use with substitution of rockers for the forward chair support medium;

FIG. 10 is a detail cross section taken on the line l0-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 1 l is a perspective view illustrating a self-adjusting desk panel in further combinative relation with the chair; and

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the desk panel detached.

My multi-use relaxing furniture as previously set forth comprises essentially three main components. The first is an upstanding elongate support or stand S preferably constructed of two or more pieces for longitudinal adjustment and having one end thereof adapted or'applied against and supported upon a floor with the support then extending upwardly and in a variety of tilted and vertically adjusted positions. The second essential component comprises a body-rest member, indicated as an entirety by the letter R, and preferably having an inner end hingedly connected to support S for collapsing therewith for storage or shipment and in use extending nearly perpendicularly to the support stand S and constituting with preferably cushioning C asupport fora leg or legs and/or feet of a user, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The third essential component constitutes a forward, chair-support medium,

indicated asan entirety by the letter M, and preferably comprising a pair of rigid chair leg elements 10 detachably secured at their inner ends to the support stand S and being rigidly interconnected, as shown, by the rigid cross strip 11 having at each end thereof a pair of tongues 1 1a which extend through suitable apertures in the legs 10and have abutment wedges 12 applied through apertures therein to secure the parts in rigid mounted relation.

The support stand S, as shown, comprises a rectangular rigid body 13 having slidably connected therewith for longitudinal adjustment a narrower support extension 14 of rigid structure having, as shown, outwardly diverging legs 14a adapted, as desired, to be cushioned at their lower edges for contact and abutment with the carpet or floor of a room. Longitudinal adjustment of extension-14, as shown, is facilitated by the provision of a longitudinal medial slot 14b in member 14 through which clamping bolts 15 pass and have with the addition of a clamping block and guide 16, connections at their forward threaded ends 15a by means of wing nuts 17.

In addition to the cushion C, which in leg-relaxing use overlies body-rest member R, a second foot-engagement and cushioning member C may be provided overlying the upper or outer portion of rectangular support member 13. Said cushion C AND C" may merely rest upon the cooperating portions of the structure or may be detachably secured thereto by any suitable means, such as snap buttons (not shown).

A suitable means for removablyand rigidly attaching the inneredges of the forward chair-supporting medium to the support-standmember 13 is illustrated in FIG.-6 wherein the said inner edges of the two chairsupport members 10 are each provided with rigid lock plates 10a having longitudinal slidable engagement with appropriate cooperating lock channels 18 appropriate'ly mounted and affixed in spaced relation to the upper portion of the rear face of the rectangular and upper stand member 13.

The hinge construction which enables the body-rest member R to be connected for collapsing (to include the cushions C and C") is illustrated in FIG. 7 and, as shown, comprising upstanding hinge plates 19 affixed to appropriate portions of the rectangular support member '13 and having U-bolts or loops 19a to which are pivoted the hinge elements 20in turn attached to the rest member R as by screws 21.

Readily attachable abutments, in the form of blocks 22, are secured as shown to the rear or outer side of the body-rest member 'R and screws 23 for securing the upper hinge plates may be employed asclearly shown in FIG. 7. If desired, an additional interconnecting rail 22a detachably secured by screws 22b may rigidly interconnect and tie together the two abutments 22. The

two abutments 22 swing back into engagement with the variety of adjustments and fulfillment of requirements are present. First, taking into consideration the use of the device with an efficient chair having good posture relationship of seat, back and/or neck-engaging portion, the elevation of the leg-rest portion R may be varied according to chair requirements and even a doctors instructions, within the wide range as will be obvious from the foregoing description. Usually greater comfort and relaxation is provided if in addition to the desired vertical adjustment of the rest R the device is positioned with the stand S tilted in a relationship to give comfortable positioning of the calves of the leg or legs upon cushion C and with at least the ball of each foot being engaged and abutted against the upright cushion C In other words combined tilting adjustmerits, of the stand S and elevational adjustment of the rest piece R by longitudinal adjustment of the pieces '13 and 14 of the stand give excellent efficiency for relaxation. I

In the use of my furniture unit as a small cushioned chair, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the angle of inclination of the stand support S may be adjusted within limits in accordance with the extent to which the outer adjustable extension piece 14 is projected beyond the outer end of the rectangular stand portion 13. The

of course coordinates within the length of the rear support from the broadened portion of the extension 14. A

front chair-supporting medium M (comprising legs 10) very comfortable chair is thus provided and capable of substantial adjustment as to inclination of the seat and backrest, and in such position various leg-stretching exercises forwardly and upwardly may be carried out if the user desires.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing description of the drawings, particularly FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, that the entire device may be very quickly disassembled and collapsed, the body-rest member R being swung forward, as shown in FIG. 8, with the cushion C and C in flush abutting position. The chair pieces or legs 10 and interlocking rail 11 may be quickly detached and may be packaged flatwise against the support stand structure. While abutments 22 could easily be designed for detachment and compacting placed against the flat panels of the stand, as shown they remain attached to rest R as shown in FIG. 8, occupying little space. Thus collapsed, the entire device may be packaged in a shallow rectangular carton or the like for storage, shipment or sale. 1

As an additional multi use of the structure application as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 0f the drawings, a pair of rockers 25 may be substituted for the chair front supporting means M. Rockers 25 have straight elongate rearward portions respectively'of the two runners 25 having suitable detachment connection means, such as the tongues 26a, which project through oblong slots formed in the runners and which are detachably secured by'suitablemeans such as the wedge pins 26b. FIG. 10 illustrates the detachable connection of both of the rockers, which is identical at the forward upper portion thereof and at the rearward portion thereof. As

shown, each rocker25 at its upper edge has affixed thereto a slightly overlying oblong-shaped plate 27 which slidably inter-fits a flanged channel 28 afiixed by fastening means to the underside of the rectangular panel rest member 13.

Preferably, the two runners 25 are each provided with an elongate slot or aperture 25a to facilitate moving and carrying of the rocking chair device as set up and shown in FIG. 9.

When the device is used as a rocking chair as shown in FIG. 9, it will be noted that the longitudinal adjustable support extension 14 projects rearwardly beyond the rear and apex ends of the rockers and may be variously adjusted to limit backward rocking movement of the assembled device.

Another important multi-use function of the device, which iselective but which when employed works in close combination with the entire structure, is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawings. Here a generally rectangular desk board or panel, indicated as an entirety by D-B, is combined for use with the chair structure as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The desk panel D-B, as shown, has parallel substantially straight sides 31, a straight forward edge 31a and an elongated kidney-shaped slot 30 to facilitate carrying thereof. The desk panel D-B further is provided with a large concave recess formed centrally through the inner portion of the panel and leaving a concave edge 33 which may engage against the abdominal portion of the person using the assembled device as a desk.

The angular adjustment of panel D-B may be varied by the user, dependent on the posture of his legs and knee positioning. It is important that proportions of the desk board D-B, including the depth of recess 33, be such that the center of gravity thereof, when supported from the upper leg portions of the user, be disposed substantially rearwardly of the knees of the user.

Spring clips 32 for retaining pencils, pens and the like may be secured to one surface of the board D-B, preferably in the lefthand corner thereof, while a heavy spring actuated clip 34 may have one of its jaws or ends connected with the opposite corner on the same surface of the board for holding papers and the like. On the opposite side of the board an elongate rest 35, shown in dotted lines, may be affixed transversely to the board to assist in holding the edges of files, books and so forth when the board is reversed and used for reading purposes.

It will of course be seen that the desk panel or board D-B, as well as the rockers 25 when detached, may be for the human body, having in combination:

an elongate, generally rectangular member of a width at least in its forward portion, to act as a chair seat, adapted in one use to be positioned uprightly as a stand, and in another use, to constitute a base and seat support for a chair,

a rest member of a width to receive the back of a person secured to a medial portion of said elongate support and in use, positioned substantially perpendicularly thereto for constituting in one position of the unit an elevated foot and leg support, and in a second position of the unit a backrest for a chair,

a front chair support medium extending laterally and rigidly from the forward portion of said elongate support and extending in a direction opposite from that of said rest member and, when the device is used as a chair, contacting a horizontal supporting surface for elevating the forward end of said elongate support,

and a second elongate member slidably connected with said first elongate member for longitudinal adjustment thereto, and means for securing said elongate members together in a plurality of Iongitudinally adjusted positions,

the outer end of said second elongate member constituting a rest and rear support for the device when employed as a chair, and the outward longitudinal adjustment of said last mentioned member being responsible for varying the angulation of said rest member to the horizontal.

2. The structure and combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said rest member is hinged for forward swinging movement against said elongate support,

and wherein said front chair support medium comprises a plurality of solid plate-like members secured for ready detachment to said first elongate support member. 

1. A multi-use furniture unit for providing relaxation for the human body, having in combination: an elongate, generally rectangular member of a width at least in its forward portion, to act as a chair seat, adapted in one use to be positioned uprightly as a stand, and in another use, to constitute a base and seat support for a chair, a rest member of a width to receive the back of a person secured to a medial portion of said elongate support and in use, positioned substantially perpendicularly thereto for constituting in one position of the unit an elevated foot and leg support, and in a second position of the unit a backrest for a chair, a front chair support medium extending laterally and rigidly from the forward portion of said elongate support and extending in a direction opposite from that of said rest member and, when the device is used as a chair, contacting a horizontal supporting surface for elevating the forward end of said elongate support, and a second elongate member slidably connected with said first elongate member for longitudinal adjustment thereto, and means for securing said elongate members together in a plurality of longitudinally adjusted positions, the outer end of said second elongate member constituting a rest and rear support for the device when employed as a chair, and the outward longitudinal adjustment of said last mentioned member being responsible for varying the angulation of said rest member to the horizontal.
 2. The structure and combinaTion set forth in claim 1 wherein said rest member is hinged for forward swinging movement against said elongate support, and wherein said front chair support medium comprises a plurality of solid plate-like members secured for ready detachment to said first elongate support member. 